Assignment 3

This is just the completion of Assignment 3, that I used some of our new playground photos on!

Obsession

Okay I am a little obsessed with taking photos, but I like to work on them and learn all the new affects you can create. My new fun thing to do is overlays! They are tons of fun. They can be used really strong or very vague in the background. I like to add a little texture to some photos. The one with Kylie on the step is an example of the strong. My Mom will be super excited for the photo of the two kids together! FINALLY!!!! It is so hard to get them together, Ethan is always on the go and won't sit or stand still for anything ;) Well sorry if you are sick of all the photos, but all I can say is you'll have to deal with it!!!

Update and Photos

Okay this is going to maybe be a little long, so you are forwarned! Yes, I at the moment am a little obsessed with pictures and making them a little whimsical. I love the overly bright colors, bright eyes, and glowing faces. It is more a fantasy state then reality, but that's what I think childhood is ;) I am having so much fun, and I don't remember the last time I've enjoyed something so much. I'm not saying I'm good at it, but I'd like to learn more, and am eager to try new things. I am also working on my digital scrapbooking classes. The website (since so many asked) is www.jessicasprague.com. The class I am in currently is the Up and Running with Photoshop. Bry is busy in school and is currently really enjoying his new classes. He has been doing really well so far and on his last test got the class high!!! Way to go Bry!! He will also be celebrating his 29th birthday this Sunday March 1st! Okay here is my super prideful moment!!! I just went to parent teacher conferences for Kylie and she is SO SMART!!! She is testing at a 96% and her class average is 51%!!! She is even higher than the majority of the older class which their average is 69%! We are so proud of her. She sits around all day coloring, writing letters and numbers, and asking how to spell words! Her teacher says she is probably ready to begin reading readiness!!! Wow, I hope school continues to be easy for her and she can stay on top! Life is easier for smart people ;) Ethan is also quite amazing! He really says so much! His new thing is that women are moms, and men are dads. He repeats just about anything and can say way too many things. Of course I can understand his wants and needs over everyone else!! He is now in a big bed (twin size) and adjusted really well! He loves it! Well that is it from our home front right now, we're looking forward to warmer weather and outdoor play!

Six Years

Our official anniversary is tomorrow, but I don't have time to post anything tomorrow!! Anyways, Bry and I have been married for six years now! Time just flies by when you're having fun right? ;) Our lives have totally changed from that cold day in February back in 2003. We have two beautiful children, and we are definitely used to each others wierd quirks now! It hasn't always been easy, but things work out in the end. Here is to an eternity of laughter, love, fights, heartache, and anything else the Lord chooses to dish out! I love you Bry, even more now than I did then!

Anniversary gifts

Okay our anniversary isn't till Sunday, but we both decided to send our surprise gifts today! As you can see I received flowers. It is only the third time since we have known each other, but I don't really care since I would rather spend my money on something with a little bit longer life span. Bry decided to order these through FTD since Best Buy employees get a discount. However, he spent way too much money for what he got and they were on the UPS truck from 6 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon when they finally got around to delivering them to me. Needless to say they weren't in the best of shape. They are looking better now, since I have pruned them up a bit, but they are still refunding him since it was his big anniversary surprise and wilted flowers aren't too exciting ;) However, I did get the chance to play with the close up mode on my camera, which I have never used. I sent Bry a chocolate covered strawberry bouquet from Edible Arrangements, and he loved it. We are going out without the kiddies tomorrow, so it should be a peaceable evening!

Scout Cards

Today we're celebrating all the boys' birthdays for den meeting. If you don't know I am the Wolf den leader for our ward. Anyways I only have a budget of $10 a month so I have to keep what I do to a minimal ;) I made these super cute cards from the free mint tin template at the Shabby Miss Jenn Shoppe. I love when digital stuff is free!!!! I probably wouldn't even be aware I could do stuff like this if it wasn't for my sister-in-law Kari! So thanks Kari for inspiring me to put down the mess and glue, and simplify my life by going digital!!!! Because I think I am now in love!!!! I am not a card maker, I have tried some stamping, but what can I say, I kind of suck at it! This is so much better, plus it looks pretty darn cute!!!

Craft Night- St. Patty's

Craft night was last night, and luckily I got all the St. Patty's crafts done that I had bought. I really like the way they turned out, and enjoy getting new fresh colors up in my house. I think that is part of the joy of putting up decorations is the color change! I'll be hosting craft night again on the March 18th, and will be working on Spring/Easter stuff. I'll post about a week before as a reminder.

Bonus Lesson #2

This is just a bonus lesson. I was just kind of playing around, nothing special! I just want it on the blog for journaling purposes!

Lesson 2

I finished my second lesson, and there is so much to remember! I will probably have to re-watch the video a couple of times till all of the details sink in! I am really enjoying the class so far and recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to digital scrapbook! I have already started our 2009 Album with the assignments I have already done, and will work on it all year making my own custom pages! I am so excited and LOVE photoshop and the magic it works!!

TWO SILLY KIDS

I have two of the silliest kids I have ever met! Kylie is a definite HOLT and thinks the words "fart" and "bum" are the funniest words in the world. She has recently taken an interest in trying to rhyme words. She was especially delighted to here that Heart rhymes with Fart! Yes, she is a Holt for sure ;) Ethan on the other hands is a face maker. He typically runs around trying to do silly things or pulls silly faces. He especially likes pulling such faces in the car. I don't know where he comes up with these things.... I love my kids even though they challenge my patience and nerve every day. I especially loved today when Kylie slammed her coloring supplies up against the fish bowl on the counter! It slammed against the back of the counter and shattered! Sending water and icky fish you know what all over the place. I spent two hours removing things from my drawers, pulling out the oven, and everywhere else deep cleaning!!! My son has been hitting me all week whenever I tell him NO! I have been doing my best to ignore him, but it's hard when you're holding him and he smacks you in the face. Oh, the joys of being a Mom. I hope next week brings happier days, less whining, and less damage!

Reminder

Hello everyone! I just wanted to put out a reminder about Craft Night. It is scheduled for: Wednesday February 18th at 6:30 p.m. Remember you can bring whatever craft you are working on at the moment. If you need to go to the wood connection I received an email with $10 off a purchase of $30 or more. If you want me to forward it to you let me know!!! Thanks and I hope to see you next week!

I LOVE Photoshop

Before After I am loving photoshop!!! It is fun to sit and tweak you photos, and bring them to life! I could probably sit and play with it for hours, that's not good!!! I will definitely have to give myself a time limit ;) I have just been amazed at how much difference can be made using, plus I love my new camera! What a difference there too!

Bonus Lesson

Here is my second page... I pretty much remembered everything from the first lesson, so that is good right? I also was pleased to see that CS3 has a simpler way for black and white! I am starting to feel more comfortable using the program. However, I would love tips on how to edit photos better... like blurring backgrounds, antiqueing photos, and making the colors pop on a person, so on and so forth. So if you are a photoshop wiz help me out ;)

My Beautiful Kylie

Okay I know a lot of photos right? Well Kylie loves the book Fancy Nancy and is always talking about dressing up like her. Well she asked me if she could get fancy and I would take some pictures of her, so we did! All right it turned into a full on little photo shoot ;) I love when the light hit her hair and shows the red in it. My beautiful little girl is getting so big, I hope her sweet personality and friendly spirit always remains no matter how big she gets! I love you Kylie Bug!

Bad Habits

I am going to lose my mind! Kylie has another BAD HABIT!!! Last year she kept licking her lip till it was raw, now this year she can't or won't leave her poor nose alone. Her nose is not runny, and their are no boogers to pick!!! It's just raw and looks painful!!!! I have tried bribing her to stop, we've read Bernstein Bears "Bad Habit", and Bry has threatened to cut off her nose if she doesn't stop (he always has the best methods!) As of yesterday this is my new method! However; I am going through band aids like they're going out of style. She tears them off when I am not looking, needless to say I am not her favorite friend right now ;) Now Ethan does not have a bad habit, but he can't resist doing anything Kylie does. He thinks she is the COOLEST person alive! So here is to my kids' new mustaches and hopefully breaking this BAD HABIT!